As Ian Desmond grimaced and slowly walked down the first base line in the eighth inningThursday night, it seemed for an instant as if the Nationals were on the verge of losing their shortstop for the foreseeable future.

Desmond’s injury came as a result of a hit-by-pitch from Orioles reliever Darren O’Day, whose 88 miles-per-hour fastball hit Desmond flush on the right thumb. He immediately hopped out of the batter’s box and howled in pain before eventually taking first base. Though in obvious discomfort, Desmond initially stayed in the game even after team trainers came out onto the field to evaluate him.

“It was kind of like you got hit in the funny bone where it’s not really that funny,” he said afterward. “That’s kind of what it felt like. ”

However, Desmond wasn’t long for the game, eventually leaving between innings after attempting to field ground balls and making an errant throw to first base. He was replaced by Danny Espinosa and was taken into the clubhouse for x-rays, which came out negative.

“Good news is there’s no fracture,” said manager Matt Williams “He’ll be sore for a couple games, I’m sure.”

Asked if he’d miss any games, Desmond said: “I don’t think so.”

Though the Nats got encouraging news that his thumb isn’t broken, it’s not certain there’ll be an immediate return to the lineup. He’s been one of the few position players on the team not to miss an extended period of playing time due to injury this season. He’s missed just one game, while seven regulars in the lineup have spent time on the disabled list.

“I think I’m in good hands,” Desmond said. “You just hope for the best and pray.”

Desmond leads the team in home runs and RBIs, and finished Thursday’s game with a hit and a run driven in over three at-bats.

For good or not, it was never in question, for exactly this reason. At least if Desi needs a week off to recuperate, it’s one of the most opportune moments of the season. But it really means Zim needs to go back to 3d for the Phils series — we can’t really afford both Frandsen and Danny in the same lineup, except maybe against Hamels if ALR doesn’t hit him well. Even then, Adam can rest at the ASB.

Nope, yesterday got moved to the 60 day which of course was retroactive to the maximum extent.

tcostant - Jul 11, 2014 at 9:22 AM

I get it, I just found this:

The Phillies transferred left-hander Cliff Lee from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Sizemore, but that was strictly a procedural move. He’s still on track to return from the disabled list next Friday against the Braves.

Not sure if anyone pointed this out but I’m pretty sure commenters pre-game pointed out lot error-free, injury free, least-loss leading team Pregame! Not to mention Baltimore can’t pitch . Baseball gods were angered. 2-1 against the phillies and hopefully we take the make up and I’m happy. Hats off to the mets for the assist this week.

adcwonk - Jul 11, 2014 at 7:51 AM

Nope. That wasn’t me. I was on taking “we crush left handers” approach

ArVAFan - Jul 11, 2014 at 7:14 AM

Back to last night’s game for a minute: for those of you who were there or watching on TV, did Barrett look as good as he sounded on the radio with C & D?

It was crazy
He struck out Jones without throwing one pitch even near the strike zone
I am not sure what it looks like coming in but it sure confused the O’s
From the camera in CF they looked low coming out of his hand and were in the dirt and off the plate by the time Ramos snagged them. I would think a player with patience might do ok but they could not touch him last night.

In response to a report from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports in which it was reported that the Nationals were looking to add shortstop prospects to their system,

Desmond spoke with MLB.com’s Bill Ladson and flatly said that he expects to be a National in 2016 and beyond. “I can’t picture myself other than this,” said Desmond. “I can’t picture myself in any other uniform, clubhouse and Spring Training complex. I can’t see myself with any other coaching staff or anything like that. This is what I know. This is what’s on my mind. This is home for me.” Asked about the aforementioned Rosenthal report, Desmond declined to comment but added that there’s no ill will between him and the organization, and he has tremendous respect for GM Mike Rizzo’s decision-making skills.
In a second piece from Kilgore, he looks at the fact that three of the Nationals‘ top 10 picks in this year’s draft — including first-rounder Erick Fedde and second-rounder Andrew Suarez – are unsigned. The Nationals are unlikely to sign ninth-rounder Austin Byler, a source tells Kilgore, meaning the Nats will lose $145,900 from their bonus pool, further complicating their negotiations with Fedde — a Scott Boras client. Rizzo considers it a “cardinal sin” to leave a top pick unsigned, notes Kilgore, who expects both Fedde and Suarez to sign. He feels that negotiations could come down to the wire, however.

But I thought Rizzo and Boras had a good relationshiip ??

adcwonk - Jul 11, 2014 at 7:53 AM

Easy response to that: don’t believe a single word (regarding the un-signed picks) until the deadline had passed. It’s all posturing and negotiation until then.

Not going over base for a injuried pitcher is okay with me, exspecially since you get an additional draft pick next year. He can’t pitch for a year, I think he’ll sign right at the deadline for the the Nats best offer, which I hope is no higher than slot.

therealjohnc - Jul 11, 2014 at 11:11 AM

Although obviously we’ll never know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the “Nats are hunting for a SS” story may have been leaked by … Theo Epstein. Why? The Cubs have a bunch of middle infield/SS players that he can market, and the more teams that are perceived as being in that hunt the higher he can drive the price for any ultimate deal. And if he poisons the well between the Nats and Desmond so that they actually do make an offseason deal for an heir apparent at SS, maybe Theo can pry Giolito out of the Nat’s hands.

Interesting John C.
yep, theo has all the SS cards, we have a bunch of (potential) aces.

DaveB - Jul 11, 2014 at 12:51 PM

Arizona is the other team with a group of young shortstops they may be looking to trade (one of Owings, Gregorious, and Ahmed). With Tony La Russa in the mix out there now, they could be trying to stir the pot also.